100 posts on my blog so far, 100 posts on my blog…

Take one down, pass it around… 99 posts on my blog so far! OK – now that I have 100 bottles of beer on the wall in your head… ;-)

So. 100 blog posts. Who woulda thunk it? Not me! Usually I start something like this, where it is kind of a “fad” and I do it religiously for a few weeks, then quit. Of course, that was kind of the way I used to diet too… so, new effort all the way around now! 100 posts ago and 5 months ago was a far different place for me. I was so unhappy. And just felt crappy! Now, 42.5 pounds later I am feeling so much better. But I’m not satisfied yet. Don’t get me wrong – I am very happy with my progress… it is my own fault that it hasn’t been as fast as it might have been, but I am not going to beat myself up about it, I’m going to keep moving forward and moving DOWN on the scale. I went back and read all my prior posts (slow day at work yesterday) and on January 16th I wrote down 11 things that I was excited to be able to do… so here is where I am with those, 100 posts or so later… (original "hope" is in black, NEW status in red)

1. Being able to cross my legs without having to heist my one leg up onto the other one by pulling the bottom of my pants-leg (quite a sight, I'm sure!) Now, I can cross my legs MUCH more easily, but I still need to pull up a bit on the bottom of my pant leg. But I have a lot less leg to lift!
2. Riding a roller coaster and not being afraid that I won’t fit in the seat (although with my history of vertigo, this might not be a good idea) I haven't ridden a BIG roller coaster, but I do ride the old Scooby Doo coaster at Kings Dominion with Lucia - and I fit!
3. Not getting winded so easily by just climbing stairs a few times. I can do stairs in my house relatively easily now. More than 3 flights and I still get a bit winded, but I used to get tired before I got to the top of the first flight.
4. No more chaffing! Well, still have challenges - but I actually wear skirts now where before I wouldn't even try it! Nothing a little powder doesn't help with...
5. Shopping in a normal size section and not having to buy “Plus size” clothes or go to Lane Bryant (although they DO have fabulously comfortable jeans). Went to JC Penney yesterday, and fit into a 16 bottom (it was stretchy) and a size 14 top. ROCK ON! My bottom half is still in 20's, but my top half is definitely not plus size anymore.
6. Being healthy and not wondering if my “being fat” is causing some ailment. I'm getting healthier. Still considered "obese" and I want to be as healthy as I can get. With the exception of one sinus infection, I haven't had to go to the doctor for anything that hasn't been band related since the surgery!
7. Comfortably riding a bike with Lu and not being so darn self conscious that my back tire is much lower than the front. I'm still self-conscious about this one. BUT, I am doing way more with Lucia than I used to.
8. Run and jump and play and skip – all without it hurting. I am starting to do this - heck - even running for 30 seconds with Lucia is more than I used to even try to do.
9. Getting to wear some of those really cute, hip outfits and maybe get a cute haircut without it looking absolutely ridiculous. I'm finding some really cute things that fit. No more granny panties or ugly clothes. Yippee! And I don't think I look ridiculous!
10. Not looking at weight limits and subconsciously thinking, “nope, can’t climb that ladder” or “well, if I lost one thigh I might be able to ride on that ride”… Amazing what being under 250 has done for my psyche, when I see that as the weight limit.
11. Maybe, just maybe, share clothes with my girlfriends… Thank you Amy, Catherine, Ali and my other friends who have shared their clothes with me!!! I will return the favor! In fact, if there is anyone out there in 24 bottoms or 1x/2x shirts size, please let me know - I'd love to share some clothes and pay it forward!